Page 84 - Florence County, SC Florence County 2032: Connecting Our Past, Defining Our Future

Existing County | Cultural Resources

This area is part of several royal land grants
to Moses Brown in 1768-69 which
developed into a family community known
as Browntown. Family holdings here
33° 49.935′ N, eventually comprised over 8,000
21-09 Browntown
79° 37.247′ W acres. Many indications of pioneering
ingenuity and farm-related industry remain,
including a notable cotton gin with wooden
gears which continued operating through
the late 19th century.
First organized as a chapel in 1843 by the
Rev. N.P. Tillinghast of Trinity Church,
Society Hill, this church was formally
established as Christ Church, Mars Bluff, in
Christ Episcopal 34° 14.555′ N, 1856. The Rev. Augustus Moore, who took
21-10
Church 79° 41.532′ W over the chapel in 1854, became the first
rector of Christ Church and served until
1876. This sanctuary, on land donated by
Dr. Edward Porcher, was consecrated in
1859.
Roseville Plantation was established by a
royal grant before the American Revolution
and a house was built here ca. 1771 for the
Dewitt family. Richard Brockinton (d. ca.
34° 16.625′ N, 1843), planter and state representative,
21-11 Roseville Plantation
79° 42.177′ W purchased Roseville in 1821. Most of the
house burned ca. 1832, and a second house
was built on the original foundation for
Brockinton and his wife Mary Hart about
1835.
This Greek Revival house was built ca. 1854
for William R. Johnson, (1813-1893),
physician, planter, and legislator in what
was then Marion District. Johnson, an 1838
William R. Johnson 34° 13.637′ N, graduate of the Medical College of S.C.,
21-12
House 79° 38.896′ W later served in the S.C. House of
Representatives 1852-55 and the S.C.
Senate 1860-63; he died here in 1893 and is
buried at nearby Hopewell Presbyterian
Church.

Florence County, SC | Comprehensive Plan pg. 83